Brick pointing in Davis CA - solid new joints that match the brick you have
Mortar crumbling, cracked or sunk back from the brick face? We clear the worn joints and fill them with mortar suited to your wall.
Brick pointing renews the mortar. The brick around it lasts longer.
Brick pointing, also called repointing, is clearing worn mortar out of the joints in a brick wall and packing new mortar in its place. Mortar is the part of the wall that's meant to wear, so renewing it lets sound brick keep doing its job on your Davis home.
Most people call when the joints look sandy or have sunk back from the brick face, or when water's getting into the wall. Left alone, open joints let more water in, and that's when bricks start cracking and a mortar job turns into a brick job.
The price mostly turns on how much wall needs it, how deep the old mortar has to come out, how high we're working and whether any bricks need replacing. The schedule turns on how big the job is and whether it needs a permit. Your written estimate is where you'll see your own number.
We find the cause first. Then the brick pointing starts.
Before we talk about mortar, I figure out why the joints failed. If a bad gutter is soaking the wall, or the wall has moved, new joints won't last until that's fixed, and stair-step cracks in a leaning wall usually mean foundation repair comes first.
On older or soft brick, we clear the old joints by hand, because a saw can chip thin edges. Before the full job, we put a little test mortar in a hidden spot so you can check the color. A lead mason and I run the crew, and I check the joints as we go.
Brick pointing covers more than mortar. Here's what's included.
Checking every joint
We go over each wall, mark the joints that are loose, cracked or hollow, and look for what's behind the damage before we touch any mortar.
Raking out worn mortar
We take the old mortar out to an even depth, back to sound material, so the new mortar has something solid to grip.
Mixing mortar for your brick
We choose the sand, lime and cement for each job by the age and softness of your brick, not one bag mix for every house.
Packing and tooling joints
We pack the joints in layers and shape the face to match the joint style already on your house, so the repair blends in.
Replacing cracked bricks
When a brick is cracked or flaking along the joint, we cut it out and set a matching one in fresh mortar as part of our brick repair work.
Garden walls and chimneys
We repoint house walls, garden walls and brick steps, and worn joints up on the roof are part of our chimney repair work.
Careful brick and mortar work pays off. Rushed jobs cost you brick.
A mortar that's too hard is a common mistake on older brick. Homes from the early 1900s or older were laid in much weaker mortar without portland cement, so a stronger new mix puts the stress on the brick and can make its face flake off. Then you're replacing brick, not just mortar.
That matters most in the oldest part of Davis, inside the original 1917 city limits around downtown, Old North Davis and Old East Davis, where the city has its own design guidelines. We're fully insured, and our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
From your call to the walk-through. Here's how it goes.
Call or send photos
Call (530) 298-0279 or fill out the form with what you're seeing, and we'll set up a time to come look.
I come look with you
I come out myself, look over the walls with you and tell you right there what I think they need, and what can wait.
Your written estimate
I follow up with a written estimate for the work we talked about, so you can look it over before you decide.
Work, clean-up, walk-through
If a permit's needed, the city lists 20 to 35 business days to process it. Then we do the work, clean up and walk it with you.
Tell us about your brick. We'll come take a look.
Send photos of the crumbling or cracked joints and where they are, and we'll reply within one business day to set up your free on-site estimate, with no obligation.
(530) 298-0279We're based in Davis. We work in the cities around it.
- Davis, CA
- Vacaville, CA
- Woodland, CA
- West Sacramento, CA
- Dixon, CA
- Winters, CA
- Elk Grove, CA
- Fairfield, CA
- Roseville, CA
- Rancho Cordova, CA
- Florin, CA
- Arden-Arcade, CA
We're based in Davis and do brick pointing in the cities around it, including Woodland and Dixon. If your city isn't listed, call and ask.
Mon–Fri: 6 AM–11 PM, Sat–Sun: 8 AM–9 PM
Brick pointing questions, answered. Here's what to know first.
Read the answers below first, and if your question isn't covered, call (530) 298-0279 and ask.
How do I know if my brick needs repointing?
Your brick likely needs repointing if the mortar has worn back more than ¼ inch, is crumbling, or has hairline cracks or gaps, according to a masonry trade group. Cracked bricks along the joints are another sign you can check yourself. Send us photos and I'll tell you straight if it can wait.
How long does mortar last on a brick house?
Mortar usually lasts about 25 to 50 years, while the brick itself can last 100 years or more, according to a masonry trade group. So a sound brick wall often needs new joints long before the brick wears out, and it makes sense to plan repointing as normal upkeep.
Who issues building permits for brick pointing in Davis?
The City of Davis Building Division reviews and issues all permit types, and you can send any project in for plan review online. It's the office to ask whether your repointing job needs one. When it does, we pull it, set up the inspections and keep you posted, or give you what you need to file it yourself.
Can an unlicensed handyman do a small brick pointing job in California?
Yes, but only a small one. California's limit for unlicensed minor work is now $1,000, up from $500, and it only applies when the work doesn't need a permit and the person doesn't employ anyone on the project. We're licensed, so neither limit applies to us.
Brick joints are one part. See the rest of our masonry work.
Joints crumbling on your brick house? Call for a free estimate.
Tell us roughly when your house was built and which walls are worn, so I know what to bring, and we'll set a time to come look.
(530) 298-0279